A Good Small Business Book

During the past week or so I've been reading a very interesting book called The E Myth Revisited, Why Most Small Businesses Don't Work and What to Do About It. The author is Michael E. Gerber.

The book begins by explaining some common mistakes and misconceptions that account for the fact that most small businesses in the US fail. For example, Gerber observes that most people who start businesses are good at some specialized task. They are technicians, and they believe that if they just work hard enough at what they're good at, they'll make it. Turns out, that's wishful thinking.

Gerber describes the model of the franchise in order to illustrate the way in which thorough organization can free up the owner to focus on the most important parts of the business (the upper-level, creative parts). From there it gets into the details of proper business organization, delegation and planning.

Basically, the book moves from the fledgling business to the fully functioning, "mature" business. At the same time, it provides some inspirational content to help get you there. The book does wax a bit philosophical at times, which weirded me out a little. However, the overall tone is light and it is certainly an easy read.

I would recommend this book to anyone interested in starting a business (any kind of business, even an affiliate marketing one). I would also recommend it to anyone who already has a small business and is looking for help.

The E Myth Revisited can be purchased at Amazon.com.